Board 108: Soothsayer Souk

I'm not sure where the soothsayer is in this picture, unless it's the monkey. Are performing monkeys known for their prophecy skills? Anyway, the picture is of a souk, or an Arab open-air market. Three stalls are visible - one in the background selling what appear to me melons or watermelons, and two in the foreground. One contains a mixture of lamps, saucepans and steaming jugs, while at the other, only a monkey is visible wearng a tiny hat.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 96 total - Pro target 450k)

This design features a jug like the ones issuing steam in the picture, plus five short straight lines to either side and a few loose round pegs at the top.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 238,950

• Not the best of starts. I struggled for early catches, or indeed bonuses. The reds didn't seem overly favourably positioned. I wasn't far off clearing the red pegs, but my score was looking a little low.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 444,220

• That was careless. I still had a couple of balls in hand, one red peg left, and needing about 80k for pro, when I went for the purple peg off the side wall, misjudged it badly and caught the last red on a deflection. I only scored about 72k off it and it wasn't enough.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 541,570 

• I made better use of the angles that time, making good steady progress throughout.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 425k)

This design consists mainly of lines following the awnings, poles and table edges in the picture. There are a few loose round pegs as well, but not too many.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 478,080 

• I was probably a bit lucky there. I seemed to pick up quite a few lucky catches, particularly in the midgame, but I struggled for points a bit at the end. I went for the final red thinking I'd probably need to avoid the 10k buckets, although as it happened, I would have had enough anyway.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 109 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

This design is of an arched doorway in an Arabic style.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 317,700

• It's not that difficult a screen to clear, but it's quite tricky to accumulate enough points for the pro target. Mainly because the side walls are well hidden and the bottom of the design is very open.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 383,060

• Only one red peg left that time, and a better score. I'd better have another go as I seem to be heading in the right direction.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 576,190 

• 22 shots this time, so I made plenty of catches, and a 94% clearance so I took out a lot more pegs as well.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 130 total - Pro target 450k)

This design copies the hem of the stall covering on the left of the picture. It makes for quite a lot of pegs in a tight band.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 499,030

• Plenty of points, but I struggled to break through all those blue pegs to get to the red ones in the lower levels.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 420,680

• A bit worse than last time. I'll have one more go before I use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 496,420 

• I got the points again, but this time I managed to get the red pegs as well. The finish was a little unexpected, getting a ricochet off the purple peg, but it gave me enough points so it was fine.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 123 total - Pro target 400k)

This design features half a dozen triangles arranged in a symmetrical pattern with a few horizontal lines at the bottom. There are some triangles at the top of a wall in the background of the picture, so I guess it's based on those.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 653,540 

• There were plenty of straight lines, so angles tend to be easier to judge leading to more catching opportunities. Plenty of chances for some good ricochets as well which often recoup good bonuses. I managed to keep a good supply of balls in hand all the way through until I had the pro target passed and the remaining red pegs easy to get.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 112 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 225k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 465,940

• I'm quite pleased with that for a first attempt. I only used 12 shots, so I clearly could have made more catches. I was scoring well and only had a couple of red pegs left at the end. Definitely worth persevering without power ups for now.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 440,360

• Only 12 shots again, a similar score to last time, and four red pegs left at the end.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 403,530

• Only 11 shots this time, a worse score, and quite a few red pegs left. It's probably possible without power ups, but it might take a fair few lucky catches to do, so I'll use a laser ball instead.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 657,850

• No problem reaching the pro target with the laser ball, but I still struggled to make catches and clear the red pegs.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 591,850

• I was doing OK this time, still with three or four balls in hand. I still had five red pegs left, but they were all in the open and catches were looking a bit easier. I was short on points so I took the purple peg off the wall, only to see the ball ricochet off all five of the remaining red pegs. It landed in the 100k bucket, but still left me about 60k short of the pro target.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 831,610 

• I'd almost given this one up as a dead loss because it took me about 5 or 6 balls to get through to the yellow peg. By the time I'd activated the laser ball, I'd cleared most of the pegs and scored very few points from them. I tried to pick a path for the laser ball that would take out the most pegs, and I picked up a triple bucket bonus for it as well which gave me an extra 120k or so. My luck seemed to change after that though and I made quite a few catches now the way was a bit clearer and the bonuses were easier to come by. The final ball in particular scored over 200k, including the final bucket bonus.

Level 7 (Clear 35 red pegs from 96 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 1, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls, and 225k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 345,710

• It took me a couple of shots to get through to the yellow peg, and then I got the dreaded Big Bucket with the laser ball which ruined any chance I had of a rim bounce. After that I still had too many red pegs left and not enough balls to get them with.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 414,890

• I could get the yellow peg with the first ball, and got a reasonable rim bounce with the laser ball, but I still couldn't clear the red pegs. I'd better add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 552,100

• A better effort, I only had two red pegs left at the end, but I was short of points so had to try and make some catches off the purple peg, but I kept missing them. I didn't seem to get much luck.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 412,540

• I couldn't get through to the yellow peg, so there wasn't much left for the laser ball to aim at, and then the Big Bounce didn't do very well either.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 397,310

• Not particularly close again. I just can't seem to clear enough of the pegs to make catches easier in the endgame. All the pegs are just getting in each other's way. I tried getting rid of the Big Bounce that time as I didn't think I was gaining much from it, but I think I'll add it again. It often doesn't help much, but when it does it can make a big difference.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 671,910

• Clearly an improvement, but I was left needing 55k with one ball left and one red and one purple peg both next to each other at the bottom. I took the red peg out directly, but I should have realised that I wasn't going to score enough off it for pro unless I got in the 100k bucket and that never looked likely.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 721,410 

• I finally got it at the seventh attempt, having used eleven power ups in the process. It took a total clearance to do it though, and I needed both of the 50k final bucket bonuses that I got at the end to make the pro target. Well, I found this quite a tough level, despite having read online how easy everyone found this board!

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 84 blue - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 3, but with 5 less red pegs, one more ball, 175k on the pro target, anhd a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 513,100

• I struggled for catches early on and got down to my last ball with lots of pegs still left. I managed to keep going for quite a while on one ball, but I missed a catch with three pegs left.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 410,720

• Again, no early catches leaving me too much to do with the last couple of balls. I left all the high ones until the end this time which was probably a mistake.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 760,210 

• It took me a couple of balls to get to the yellow peg, but I did OK with the laser ball, and the Big Bounce was pretty successful too. After that, the Pegs required per Ball figure was always manageable and heading in the right direction.

Level 9 (Score 575k with 40 red pegs and 90 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 775k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, three less balls, 325k on the pro target, but only a score now for a target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 705,920

• I got the basic score, but not the pro target. I wasn't far off, but I could just have done with another catch or two.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 516,740

• I lost too many early balls, and with only seven to start with, they run out very quickly. I never even got to the green peg to activate the Big Bounce.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 707,780

• This time, both trigger pegs were right down the bottom and it took me way too many balls to get through to either of them. I did OK with the laser ball, but the Big Bounce could have been much better. I might swap the Big Bounce to be honest - this isn't the sort of layout that the Big Bounce works well at. I'll use something more penetrative like a Grenade Ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Grenade Ball. Score: 853,100 

• The yellow peg was nicely on top this time, although I messed up the first shot. I was looking for a sweep across the whole top row, but tried to use a red peg off the wall to start it with and it didn't work. I made sure of it with the second ball, and then did pretty well with the laser ball. The Grenade Ball came next, and that took out a big chunk of pegs. I then concentrated on the cluster of pegs on the right hand side to accumulate the remaining points I needed. It didn't take me long and after that I just played out the remaining balls.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 93 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 5, but with 5 more red pegs, on less ball, 200k on the pro target, and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 636,575 

• I had some catches to make after the laser ball had gone, but this layout is not that difficult to judge catches on as there are a lot of straight lines and regular angles. It was touch and god for a while, but at least the pro target was never really in doubt, so it was only the clearance I needed to concentrate on.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	96	Reds	10	-	450k	3	541,570	408,246
2	25	112	Reds	10	-	425k	1	478,080	478,080
3	30	109	Reds	9	-	425k	3	576,190	425,650
4	30	130	Reds	10	-	450k	3	499,030	472,043
5	25	123	Reds	10	-	400k	1	653,540	653,540
6	40	112	Reds	9	-	650k	6	831,610	565,190
7	35	96	Reds	8	-	675k	7	721,410	502,267
8	25	109	All	10	-	600k	3	760,210	561,343
9	40	130	575k	7	-	775k	4	853,100	695,885
10	30	123	All	9	-	600k	1	636,575	636,575

Board 48: Divine Terrace

This picture shows a sloping hillside that has been cut into a series of green steppes with a path cutting through the middle. At the base of the slope is a flat grassy plain with a few houses dotted about. A bird stands on some brick steps in the foreground, and high rocky mountains line the horizon.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 92 total - Pro target 525k)

This design has straight lines on the left where the steppes are, and a wavy line on the right following the edge of the steps in the foreground. Lots of single round pegs surround it all.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 480,310

• Not a bad effort. I made quite a few catches, and picked up some decent bonuses, but it wasn't quite enough.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 559,140 

• A slight improvement that time. I managed to clear all the red pegs and leave myself an angle off the last one to get into the 100k bucket.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 93 total - Pro target 700k)

This design features a network of wavy lines, a bit like the twisting roads in the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 641,970

• Not far off for a first attempt, but 700k is a pretty big pro target for level 2.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 574,150

• I thought I was in with a good chance that time. I was down to two red pegs, and one of them had a good angle for getting into the 100k bucket. I tried to take what looked like an easy purple first, but caught a corner instead of a side and the bounce went all wrong.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 289,080

• The reds were really badly positioned for bonuses that time so I was on a bit of a hiding to nothing. 700k is a big target and needs a lot of big bonuses which I just couldn't get.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 294,920

• Again the reds were badly positioned and so was the yellow peg. By the time I'd triggered the laser ball, there were not enough pegs left to get a good score with it.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 741,830 

• The yellow peg was nicely on top this time, so I could get it straight away, and then make some decent points from the laser ball by using a different path for it. After that I just had to keep making catches and pick the pegs off one at a time. I only missed one single peg in the end.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 114 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

This design mimics the mountainous skyline with a loose scattering of single round pegs beneath.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 185,930

• I made no catches at all there, so a pretty dreadful effort. I must be able to do better than that.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 438,260

• A better effort but still only three catches made and couldn't clear the red pegs. I better get a laser ball on it.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,060,460 

• Well that made a bit of a difference! The yellow peg was nicely available with the first shot, and then I took out a lot of pegs with the laser ball. With the space so much clearer, catches were suddenly a whole load easier, plus I picked up a few lucky ones. I took a total clearance just for the hell of it and passed the million point mark.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 98 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

This design features a mixture of vertical and horizontal lines, and single round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 329,760

• Not enough early catches, but I held on for quite a long time in the endgame, so I reckon it's probably possible without power ups. I might need a bit of luck in the early stage mind you.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 375,570

• I need to get rid of more of the loose pegs on top in the early part of the game to leave better chances of catches later on. I'll give it one more go.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 385,470

• An out-of-control ricochet took out the last two reds when I was still building a score. I had a way to go, but I might have made it.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 485,370

• A much better score, but again I had no luck with catches. I should probably use a laser ball but it's annoying me now. This is definitely doable without one.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 543,100 

• I knew it would go eventually. I got a couple of early lucky catches and concentrated on clearing one side to make catches later on a bit easier.

Level 5 (Clear 35 red pegs from 115 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

This design features several V shapes made up of connected diamond shaped pegs. These tend to give unpredicatable bounces and are often tricky to deal with.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 653,070

• I found catches quite tricky at the start. I had the pro target reached quite easily, but I couldn't quite keep the last few balls going for long enough to take all the reds out.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 372,660

• Not as close this time. Catches are just too tricky, particularly in the early game, and they don't get a whole lot easier either. I'd better use a laser ball or I might be here a while.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 639,970 

• The yellow peg was available with the first shot, and the laser ball seemed to go quite well although it could have scored more. I still had quite a bit of work left to do after it. I managed to make just enough catches therefter though to see me through.

Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 92 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 1, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 377,110

• I think I made one catch, so I poor effort. I'll give it one more go before I add a laser ball, as I can clearly do better than that.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 462,960

• A much improved effort. I made a lot of distance bonuses, and quite a few catches. But it wasn't enough. I still had 6 or 7 red pegs left at the end (although only about 3 blues), and I was over 200k short of the pro target. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 861,730 

• It took a few balls to get through to the yellow peg, and cleared a lot of the pegs on the right hand side, so I had to take a more unorthodox path with the laser ball. It all came good in the end though as I made lots of catches in the endgame.

Level 7 (Score 500k with 35 red pegs and 58 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 2, but with 5 more red pegs, one less ball, 50k less on the pro target and just a score to go for. This looks like it ought to be easier than level 2, although that one did need a laser ball.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 795,770 

• The laser ball worked well, and I got a good number of catches, particularly in the endgame. I also picked up a decent number of bonuses along the way. I took a complete clearance.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 115 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 676,820 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball then got a decent rim bounce with the laser ball. I still had 21 red pegs to get afterwards, but I had 10 balls to do it with and it was enough. I was a bit reckless with the balls, missing a bunch of catches until I was down to only 3 balls, and still had 8 red pegs. I got more serious after that though and concentrated on taking safe catches, and picked off the remainder.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 89 blue - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 3, but with 5 less red pegs, one more ball, 125k on the pro target and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 904,860 

• Again, I got the yellow peg straight off, then got a good rim bounce with the laser ball. That is such a useful shot to be able to play as it can score a lot of points and remove a lot of pegs, not to mention earn two extra balls or sometimes more. After that I still had to make a lot of catches, but with a bit of care, it wasn't a problem.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 73 blue - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 less red pegs, one more ball, 225k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 810,230 

• A very familiar story. I got the yellow peg straight away, then used the same laser ball path that I've used on all these last few levels and got the same rim bounce for a big bonus. The pegs on this layout are positioned for making catches so it's not a difficult one.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	92	Reds	10	-	525k	2	559,140	519,725
2	30	93	Reds	10	-	700k	5	741,830	508,390
3	30	114	Reds	9	-	625k	3	1,060,460	561,550
4	30	98	Reds	9	-	450k	5	543,100	423,854
5	35	115	Reds	9	-	500k	3	653,070	555,233
6	45	92	Reds	9	-	700k	3	861,730	567,266
7	35	93	500k	9	-	650k	1	795,770	795,770
8	45	115	Reds	9	-	650k	1	676,820	676,820
9	25	114	All	10	-	750k	1	904,860	904,860
10	25	98	All	10	-	675k	1	810,230	810,230

Board 49: DaVinci's Workshop

This picture gives a hypothetical glimpse of what Leonardo DaVinci's workshop might have looked like. There is a desk covered in books, papers, cogs and other scientific paraphernalia. There is a rudimentary flying machine hung in the corner, an easel that holds a sketch, and a bookcase full of books.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 99 total - Pro target 550k)

The first design is a complex geometric collection of loose pegs of various shapes, forming intersecting lines and curves.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 349,550

• Only one or two red pegs left at the end, but still 200k short of the pro score. I'm not quite ready for the laser ball just yet though.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 261,030

• Worse this time. Because of all the loose round pegs, catches are very difficult to judge. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 579,390 

• Even though I managed to find an angle that collected the yellow peg with the first shot, I still had quite a lot of work to do to make a pro score after I'd used the laser ball. But at least I'd cleared enough space to allow me to make some catches.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 103 total - Pro target 550k)

This design is two Erlenmeyer flasks with lots of single round pegs both inside and outside of the flasks.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 374,310

• Not enough catches made. Simple as that.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 690,500 

• I picked up quite a few useful bonuses along the way which got me to the Pro target. I was left with two red pegs on the far right and only one ball. They were hampered by a vertical lines of blue pegs above them, so I went through the whole column one at a time taking catches off them. It was a risky strategy but the catches were all pretty easy. The very bottom one was the most awkward and I very nearly missed it, but it all worked out in the end.

Level 3 (Clear 20 red pegs from 96 total - Pro target 425k)

This design features two cog wheels, both spinning in opposite directions, surrounded by a mass of single round pegs, plus a few short lines in the middle.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 563,160 

• The red pegs were quite kindly positioned, with none in the awkward places beneath the cog wheels. I also picked up quite a few lucky bonuses which made it all pretty easy. I may not be quite so fortunate when this layout comes round again.

Level 4 (Clear 35 red pegs from 106 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 525k)

This follows some of the lines in the picture, although it's mainly composed of loose round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 395,760

• Only one red left at the end. I got very few catches in the early part of the game, and despite picking up quite a few lucky catches and bonuses towards the end, it wasn't quite enough.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 619,550

• I picked up a lot of Distance bonuses that time, but I ran out of balls due to lack of catches again. I think I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 432,820

• Luck seemed very much against me that time. I struggled to get to the yellow peg, did OK with the laser ball, but then hardly any catches seemed to work.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 637,640 

• I made good steady progress through it that time. It took a bit longer and a few more pegs to get to the yellow peg than I would have liked, but I got a good rim bounce with the laser ball which boosted my score a bit. I picked up a few boosts along the way, but concentrated on making catches off the red pegs and a few off the purple peg when it was too tempting to resist.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 127 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

This design mimics the books on the bookshelf with straight lines for the shelves, sides and top, and strings of three round pegs for each book.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 420,550

• Only one red peg left at the end, but some way short of what seems to be a pretty high pro target. I don't think I did anything particularly wrong there, so I'd better add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 775,750 

• That was one of those goes where everything just goes right. All the ricochets made it seem more like a game of join the dots at times. With all the extra balls I was earning it was almost inevitable that I would complete the total clearance.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 99 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 1, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, and 100k more on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 720,150 

• I managed to find the yellow peg with the first ball, and then got a good rim bounce with the laser ball. Just like the previous level, I seemed to have luck on my side in terms of catches and ricochets. A comfortable victory.

Level 7 (Clear 45 red pegs from 106 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 25k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 640,140

• Plenty of points but I couldn't clear the red pegs. I was probably tempted by too many purple pegs when I should have been concentrating on the red ones.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 863,240 

• I did pretty well at the catches that time, and went on to make a total clearance.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 78 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 5 less red pegs, one less ball, 50k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 854,790 

• I managed to get the yellow peg with the first shot, then did pretty well with the laser ball. After that I made lots of catches with kept me with plenty of balls in hand which in turn kept the pressure off. The points essentially looked after themselves as I concentrated on picking off the remaining pegs.

Level 9 (Score 500k with 35 red pegs and 92 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, 50k on the pro target, but just a score is now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 378,540

• It took too many balls getting through to the yellow peg. By the time I got to it, I only had about 3 balls left and it just wasn't enough.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 825,530 

• I got the yellow peg with the second shot that time, and I caught the first one so that hardly counts anyway. I then got two rim bounces with the laser ball which got me off to a good start. After that I missed a few catches, but I made enough to get me to the pro target with red pegs left on the board. I cleared the last couple of reds to finish, but the game was already won.

Level 10 (Clear 30 red pegs from 96 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 525k)

The same design as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls, and 100k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Big Bounce. Score: 419,690

• I only had one red peg left and it is in plain sight so I could have finished, but I had to try and pick up some more points first if I was to have any chance at the pro target.

Attempt #2 - Big Bounce. Score: 550,190 

• That went quite well. I managed to clear the reds under the right-hand cog early on, and the ones under the left-hand cog went a bit later with the Big Bounce. I had to take a chance at the end that the ball would fall into the 100k bucket, but with the cogs where they are, there is a better than usual chance of that. Anyway, that's exactly where it did finish so I got my pro score.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	99	Reds	10	-	550k	3	579,390	396,656
2	30	103	Reds	10	-	550k	2	690,500	532,405
3	20	96	Reds	10	-	425k	1	563,160	563,160
4	35	106	Reds	9	-	525k	4	637,640	521,442
5	25	127	Reds	9	-	625k	2	775,750	598,150
6	40	99	Reds	8	-	650k	1	720,150	720,150
7	45	106	Reds	8	-	550k	2	863,240	751,690
8	25	103	All	9	-	600k	1	854,790	854,790
9	35	127	500k	8	-	675k	2	825,530	602,035
10	30	96	Reds	8	-	525k	2	550,190	484,940

Board 107: Candy Cottage

This is another fairy tale picture - Hansel and Gretel this time. It's a young boy and girl approaching a little house made of sweets and candy in the middle of a forest.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 101 total - Pro target 500k)

This design is a catherine wheel of candy canes.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 494,850

• I struggled for points here, particularly early on when I was also struggling for catches. I was a little pre-emptive with my finish, as I clearly should have tried to pick off some more purple pegs before I took the last red ones. Silly really to finish 6k short of the pro target when I could have got more.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 504,040 

• I'd practically written that game off, and really thought I'd blown it when I accidentally took out the last red peg when I still needed another 170k or so for the Pro target. But that final ball scored 60k and landed in the 100k bonus bucket, and crucially it earned me an extra ball, and that extra ball gave me the extra 10k that I needed for pro. Phew!

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 375k)

This design follows the lines in the picture, particularly of the cottage itself, with a scattering of round pegs over the background, and voids where the children are.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 600,950 

• No problems at all with that one, although I did seem to have a lot of luck with my catches. Wherever I shot the ball it seemed to hang around until the bucket was underneath and then dive into it. I could have finished earlier than I did, but I was trying to earn extra points. I got the last red unintentionally of a ricochet, but I was well over the pro target by then, so it didn't matter.

Level 3 (Clear 35 red pegs from 106 total - Pro target 550k)

This design is a series of curves arranged in vertical lines, separated by broken lines of vertical pegs. It mimics the arrangement of tiles on the roof of the cottage.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 769,780 

• Another one that seemed very straightforward. All those gentle curves and vertical pegs made for some quite easy catches.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 130 total - Pro target 500k)

This design has another couple of candy canes, crossed ones this time, plus a boiled sweet and quite a few loose round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 263,390

• The boiled sweet design down the bottom is quite tricky to break into. I'll have one more go without power ups, but I suspect I'll be resorting to them after that.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 115,290

• Again I failed to really get into the boiled sweet design, only this time I struggled to earn any bonuses either. This is definitely one for the laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 392,010

• Even with the laser ball this one isn't overly straightforward. I got the annoying Big Bucket with the laser ball though, so I didn't any kind of rim bounce. And it's the rim bounce that needs to slice through that boiled sweet design.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,016,690 

• The yellow peg was neatly on top that time, and the laser ball worked to perfection. I got a neat rim shot with it that took out a good chunk of the boiled sweet design, and then a second rim deflection which sent the ball back again, taking out a bit more of it. The net result of this was that after two shots I was already over the pro target and just needed to ensure that I cleared the 11 red pegs that remained with the 10 balls I still had in hand. It would have been hard to fail from there, and I went on to make a total clearance for just over a million points.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 102 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

This design has a rough diagonal lines of small obstructions that look a bit like Rice Krispies, and a scattering of individual round and diamond shaped pegs on both sides. There is also a teleport portal in the bottom left that comes out at the top right corner.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 372,610

• Well I cleared the red pegs, albeit more by luck than judgement, but I was some way short of the Pro target. I'll give it another go, but it may well need a power up or two.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 239,640

• Nowhere near that time. I'll add a laser ball and see what difference that makes.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 257,480

• The laser ball didn't make a huge difference. There may be a good path for it in there somewhere but finding it wouold be a hell of a job. I'll persevere with it as I might stumble across something.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 412,170

• I was pretty close that time. I only had one red peg left at the end and had two shots to try and get it, but it was tucked away behind some rocks and I couldn't find a route through. Shame because I was on target for the Pro target as well. I did find quite a reasonable path for the laser ball which bounces around up the top for a bit before disappearing through the portal. So I can just get the timing right so it gets a bucket bounce it should be perfect.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 392,400

• Very close that time. I needed 100k off the last red peg which was low and central, so thought I was in with a good chance. The ball skirted with the 100k but refused to drop and jumped over to the 50k instead which wasn't enough. I did manage to reproduce the laser path that I found last time though, and got a bucket bounce with it as well.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 582,920 

• I used the same laser ball as before. I'll have to remember that for when this layout comes up again. I got quite a lot of lucky catches but I was in quite some trouble trying to find a route through to the last red peg. I managed to catch a lucky rim bounce off the bucket which deflected it onto the final red peg. Phew!

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 112 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, and 300k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 395,610

• Nowhere near finishing this one. I was probably being a little hopeful attempting it without power ups.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 347,630

• Not enough catches as I only used 11 shots. I probably need to find a better path for the laser ball as my usual one doesn't take out many pegs in this layout.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 621,330

• I should have had that. I only had one red peg left but I couldn't get to it. I had to take out a couple of other pegs first to get to it, but missed a catch I should have made off the first of them.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 703,020 

• A good laser ball that time scored me quite a lot of points. I still was left in a quandry at the end as to whether to take the last red and hope to avoid the 10k buckets, or try to take another purple first. In the end I decided to take the last red and hope for the best and it very nearly didn't pay off as the ball skirted all round the 10k bucket before falling in the 50k one.

Level 7 (Score 500k with 30 red pegs and 76 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 850k)

The same design as level 3, but with 5 less red pegs, three less balls, 300k on the pro target, and just a score target to go for.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 471,480

• Not the best of efforts. I didn't get to the yellow peg early enough, and then I made a complete hash of the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,126,150 

• I triggered the yellow peg with the first ball and then got a really good rim bounce with the laser ball. I then played all the subsequent catches much better. I was going for the total clearance but ended up leaving two pegs behind. Despite not clearing everything and only getting 10k from the final bucket, I still made over 1.1 million points.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 76 blue - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 1, but with 175k on the pro target and a complete clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 644,870

• I fought hard to get this one, but I missed the penultimate catch. I had to take the last nine pegs all with the last ball, but it eventually got the better of me.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 543,320

• Only 89% clearance that time. Too many missed catches in the endgame. I'll add a Big Bounce I think.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 1,023,160 

• I found a good path for the laser ball that picked up two good rim bounces. After that, I very quickly got down to two pegs per ball remaining and then one. The points looked after themselves.

Level 9 (Clear 30 red pegs from 102 total, with only 7 balls and a 3s shot-clock - Pro target 525k)

The same design as level 5, but with 5 more red pegs, two less balls, 100k on the pro target and a 3 second shot-clock. I suspect this could be tricky.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 405,980

• This is going to take quite a bit of luck. I couldn't get to the yellow peg before the green peg, and then I couldn't time the laser ball properly because of the shot clock. II had two red pegs left at the end, I think and was about 120k short of the pro target.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 364,140

• Three red pegs left that time. The yellow peg wasn't too hard to get to, and I managed to get a bounce and a catch with the laser ball, but the Big Bounce was a complete flop, only taking about two pegs out.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 394,340

• Two red pegs left, but again the Big Bounce was a complete washout. This time I was still looking for the yellow peg when the clock ran out on the first ball which fired straight into the green peg thus triggering the Big Bounce way too early.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 409,480

• The yellow looked like it would be OK to get to, but I took out every peg around it without getting it. I ended up taking the green peg first. The Big Bounce worked OK but not as well as it might have done. I don't seem to have had a break yet.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 524,480

• Oh you complete bastard! Just 520 points short of the bloody pro score. If I'd just avoided the 10k bucket at the end, or even hitting one more peg would probably have done it. How incredibly annoying. I think I need to go and have a quiet lie down somewhere...

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 380,910

• The yellow peg was nicely on top, but the laser ball triggered the Split Ball which must have thrown it off its usual path slightly as I didn't then get the bucket bounce I would have expected. I also didn't take any catches at all which is never going to help.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 415,430

• One red peg left which I couldn't find a route through to. Even if I'd hit it, I would still have needed a 100k final bucket to make the pro target.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 529,170 

• Got it finally, although it actually only took me eight attempts which isn't really that many. Not compared to some of the real stinkers of the past. I very nearly blew it right at the end though, when I twitched just as it launched and hit every other peg around the final red without touching it. Thankfully it hit another peg just before it disappeared off the bottom of the screen, and that was enough to earn me an extra ball to replace it. I though I'd still need a 100k final bonus, but a Crucial Bounce off the first peg meant that 50k turned out to be just enough.

Level 10 (Clear 40 red pegs from 130 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 4, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, and 250k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 376,720

• It took too long to get to the yellow peg, then I didn't get a favourable rim bounce with the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 806,010 

• I got the yellow peg on the second ball, and then didn't get a good rim bounce with the laser ball again. But I kept going and did OK with the Big Bounce. I had to make quite a few catches, but in the end I made it with balls to spare. I probably could have gone on to make a total clearance as there weren't many pegs left, but I didn't bother.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	101	Reds	10	-	500k	2	504,040	499,445
2	25	112	Reds	10	-	375k	1	600,950	600,950
3	35	106	Reds	10	-	550k	1	769,780	769,780
4	25	130	Reds	10	-	500k	4	1,016,690	446,845
5	25	102	Reds	9	-	425k	6	582,920	376,203
6	40	112	Reds	8	-	675k	4	703,020	516,897
7	30	106	500k	7	-	850k	2	1,126,150	798,815
8	25	101	All	10	-	675k	3	1,023,160	737,116
9	30	102	Reds	7	3s	525k	8	529,170	427,991
10	40	130	Reds	8	-	750k	2	806,010	591,365

Board 104: Gothic Basilica

This picture is of an unlikely looking cathedral with a flat roof and a vast array of chimneys and turrets. A couple of gargoyles look down in the foreground.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 102 total - Pro target 450k)

This design follows the lines in the picture. Near vertical lines follow the columns and chimneys of the building, plus curves over the backs of the statues in the foreground.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 475,880 

• I made hardly any catches to start with, but as I started to run out of balls, I started earning extra ones from high scoring individual balls. The finish was unexpected, but it did the job.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 117 total - Pro target 425k)

This design looks like a grand entrance, with an arched doorway, and vertical and horizontal lines for high walls and a long line of windows.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 288,460

• I didn't make enough catches on a level with lots of horizontal and vertical rectangles, so catches shouldn't be that hard. I'll do better next time.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 561,570 

• I did better that time. This is one of those levels where the catches get considerably easier the further through it you get. This time I managed to keep catching for long enough to complete it.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 133 total - Pro target 475k)

This design features an intricate design, featuring a triangle in a circle, surrounded by three rounded peaks pointing outwards. In the top corners of the screen are some straight lines arranged at right angles.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 337,930

• There are some tricky angles here. I only had two red pegs left and about 150k to go to the pro target, so it felt like a reasonable attempt.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 313,570

• A backward step there. I had a lower score and five red pegs left at the end. Time for a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 767,870 

• Not a problem with the laser ball. I could have finished earlier than I did, but I kept going while I had balls in hand and got up to 92% clearance, but then I took the last red peg when I got down to my last ball.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 89 total - Pro target 425k)

This design features two solid convex curves sloping in towards the centre, plus several other parallel curves made of single round pegs beneath them.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 371,040

• Not too far off, but I didn't feel like I got much luck going my way there. The ball seemed to constantly manage to avoid the red pegs and find all the blue ones. I feel confident for the next go.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 269,650

• Apparently my confidence was misplaced as this attempt was even worse. I'll give it another go before I get the laser ball out.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 541,920 

• That was better. I got a bit more luck that time. Plenty of distance bonuses kept the scoreboard ticking over. I also got a good early sweep that took out most of the top left-hand curve. As soon as I had the pro target in the bag, I took the last red peg to finish it off.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 86 total - Pro target 500k)

This design has half a dozen triangles perched on top of vertical lines, like the thin chimneys in the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 375,660

• The vertical poles are easy enough to deal with, but the triangles on top cause quite a few problems. If I can find a good way of dealing with them then this one would be a lot easier.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 470,180

• Robbed at the last ball! I had two reds left with only one ball, but they were both low vertical pegs at opposite sides of the screen, so they should have been easy catches off the side wall. Unfortunately, when I took the first one, the ball hit both sides of the bucket but contrived not to go in.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 269,220

• Not a very good attempt. Quite a few red pegs left at the end and very few catches made. I'll use a laser ball to get it out of the way and move on to the second half.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 807,730 

• The yellow peg was neatly front and centre, so I could activate the laser straight away. Then the laser ball cleared enough of the awkward pegs to make the subsequent catches that much easier. I took a total clearance for more than enough points.

Level 6 (Clear 35 red pegs from 117 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 417,960

• Early catches on this one are a bit of a struggle, and I didn't make enough. I'll try a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 909,800 

• The yellow peg was not too difficult to get to, and then the laser ball did plenty of damage. It was plain sailing from there on, and I went on to take a total clearance just for the hell of it.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 133 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 589,910

• I started well enough, getting the yellow peg with the first shot and then getting a good rim bounce with the laser ball, but then missed too many catches in the endgame and ran out of balls trying to finish the reds off.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 591,820

• This attempt was almost identical to the last one. Again I got the yellow peg on the first shot and did well with the laser ball. But again, I ran out of balls trying to finish off the reds. I'll have one more go before I add a second power up.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 734,480 

• I had to take out a big chunk of the central design to get to the yellow peg this time, which only took two balls, but I thought it would have a significant impact on the laser ball score. As it happens it wasn't as bad as I feared, and I made some good catches and had some lucky bonuses after that as well. I didn't have any balls to spare at the end though, so it was a near thing.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 86 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 5, but with 15 more red pegs, three less balls, and 250k more on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 760,440

• Ooooh, so close! I had a very fine cut to play on the last red peg, but hit the wrong peg and missed the catch. Damn it!

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 866,660 

• The yellow peg was nicely on top so I could take it straight away, and then I did OK with the laser ball. After that I had 258k scored and 21 red pegs left with 8 balls remaining. I managed to make a steady stream of bonuses and catches. I missed a few, but I did enough.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 64 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 less red pegs, one less ball, 200k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 793,400 

• A nice easy yellow peg to start with and the laser worked OK. The catches quickly got quite straightforward as the pegs started to disappear. I had to make quite a few of them mind you.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 72 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 725k)

The same design as level 1, but with 5 more red pegs, one less ball, 275k on the pro target and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 912,060 

• It took two or three shots to get through to the yellow peg which was low to the left. By the time I'd got it, I'd cleared pretty much all the pegs from the rightmost third of the screen. I decided to take a path with the laser ball that concentrates it entirely on the left-hand side and that seemed to work out well, as it picked up a Triple Score bucket bonus for an extra 100k or so. Again, I had to make a few catches towards the end, but I was confident from some way out.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	102	Reds	10	-	450k	1	475,880	475,880
2	25	117	Reds	10	-	425k	2	561,570	425,015
3	30	133	Reds	10	-	475k	3	767,870	473,123
4	30	89	Reds	10	-	425k	3	541,920	394,203
5	30	86	Reds	10	-	500k	4	807,730	480,697
6	35	117	Reds	9	-	600k	2	909,800	663,880
7	40	133	Reds	8	-	650k	3	734,480	638,736
8	45	86	Reds	7	-	750k	2	866,660	813,550
9	25	89	All	9	-	625k	1	793,400	793,400
10	30	102	All	9	-	725k	1	912,060	912,060